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I often describe myself as "emotionally sharp" which means that even if the lighting may not be perfect, when the moment is right, I can sense it and will do everything in my power to capture it. For me, photography isn't just about technical perfection; it's about seizing the essence of a memory and capturing the emotions and details that accompany it. Whether it's a candid laugh on the dance floor or a subtle romantic gesture shared between partners, my work is about showcasing the beauty and significance of each moment. Together we can create a collection of images that not only document your life but also resonate deeply with you and allow you to relive the joy and warmth each time you revisit them.

"If you ask people what attracted them to the person they love, they never tell you of some perfect feature that focused them on sheer surfaces but rather an imperfection that allowed them to see into their uncharted depths." -Eugene Kennedy

I'm so glad you're here! Over a decade ago, when I started on this journey, my tagline was "making time tangible," a sentiment that still holds true today. Photographs possess a timeless quality that transcends lighting, color, or tone. My passion is capturing images that not only reflect the moment but also bring you a sense of comfort and nostalgia by preserving the most important memories in your life for generations to come.

Hello, my name is Patricia, but I prefer to go by Patti

The lady behind the lens

a little about me

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I have always been drawn to the arts and the beauty within them. As a child, I would cut up equine magazines and make collages. Then I became obsessed with Glamour and Cosmopolitan because I loved the way those magazines were laid out. This affinity for layout and design led me to study interior and architectural design and the principles I learned during that time remain foundational to my photography. I use both digital cameras, and a mix of 35mm and medium format film cameras to capture a soft, timeless, editorial look.

fresh flowers and film

there's just something about

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Traveling for weddings ensures that my artistry stays fresh and that each celebration is as unique as the couple it honors. The goal is to infuse each image with not only the beauty of the moment, but also the essence of the place in a way that gives you a lasting and palpable sense of the location and the passion you share. From intimate ceremonies nestled into scenic countrysides to grand affairs amidst bustling cityscapes, wedding photography has taken me across continents, allowing me to capture timeless stories that transcend borders and cultures.

a story that transcends boarders and cultures

a story about place and passion

let's create

I am a "snow bird" with a home in Maine and one in Florida.  

I frequent Charleston and Savannah but my heart lives in Italy.  

My favorite place in the world is Varenna, Italy, seconded by Vieques, Puerto Rico, and then followed by pretty much any Villa in the French countryside. 

Since I can remember, I have been obsessed with romance. I grew up watching Dirty Dancing, The Notebook, Ever After, The Princess Bride, Titanic, Pretty Woman,  and pretty much every other romance ever made. 

a few interesting tidbits about me:

fun facts

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One of the greatest joys of my work is the opportunity to witness families come together and share cherished traditions. The beauty of photography is that each image documents the details and traditions that make your story unique to you and your family. Each click of the shutter becomes a reflection of your shared values and love for one another. Every smile, every embrace, every shared glance speaks volumes about the depth of your connections and the richness of your history.

From the elegant Chuppah symbolizing the couple's new home together to the serene ambiance of a Chinese tea ceremony, I am privileged to capture these moments of cultural significance. The vibrant energy of the second line band dance, also known as the umbrella line, infuses the celebration with joy and rhythm, while the graceful movements of La Tarantella in Italy reflect the couple's heritage and passion.

In Hungarian tradition, as midnight approaches, the enchanting gyertyafénykeringő, or candlelight waltz, marks a transition in the festivities before the bride changes into her "menyecske ruha," the traditional "new wife dress," adding an extra layer of cultural depth to the occasion.

Before the main event, the pre-wedding ritual called the haldi in India imbues the atmosphere with a sense of anticipation and tradition. And who can forget the mesmerizing exchange of floral garlands, the jai mala, symbolizing the union of two souls, weaving together familial blessings and love.

My goal is to capture it all—the laughter, the tears, the quiet moments of reflection—creating a visual narrative that will serve as a timeless tribute to your family and your traditions. Each tradition adds a layer of beauty and meaning to your wedding day, and I am honored to be a part of preserving these cherished memories for generations to come.

A celebration of shared histories and new beginnings

 family & tradition

let's capture the beauty of

"Having Patricia as our photographer felt like having another girlfriend there while we were getting ready. She is so good at being everywhere but not in the way at the same time. I have been in many weddings and it is not always the case that someone is able to just easily connect with others, take command of organizing people, and not come across as pushy or quite honestly, annoying. Patricia is gracious, thoughtful about how she organizes things, and was considerate about making sure we enjoyed our day and didn't spend too much time away from our guests. Her work speaks for itself! We were so happy with our pictures. It poured on my wedding day and she was able to capture some gorgeous rain photos of me and my husband as well as improvise a way to take some photos on a porch. You'd never know it was raining based on what she was able to capture. She really listened to what I wanted and used her own intuition to capture people and moments I didn't anticipate. I highly recommend Kivalo! I can't say enough great things about them!" 

"She really listened to what I wanted."

"Patricia became a part of our day and felt like an extension of our wedding party! The planning process was easy, Patricia was very prompt responding to requests and answering questions. We certainly appreciated all her guidance and wedding wisdom. Out wedding day was perfect but like everyone. There were logistics issues and I had an allergic reaction to some of the makeup. Patricia was a calming influence and took everything in stride. We followed her guidance as far as timing and had plenty of time for prep photos, details, wedding part photos and the first look AND had time to fix and redo makeup and relax. They day went exceedingly well and we are thrilled with the photos. We received our photos very fast and love all of them. Kivalo truly captured the moments of the day and all the photos feel "ours" and reflect our day. There are no photos resembling stock photos and each captures an essence of the day. We couldn't be happier. Highly recommend Kivalo, when the time comes we will rebook for maternity and baby photos and family sessions for years to come."

"patricia is the Best photographer ever!"

If you want stunning, artistic, photos that capture every feeling that you have on your wedding day, then Patricia is definitely the photographer that you you need to hire! From planning, to payment, to managing everyone on the actual wedding day, she is extremely organized and has a process in place for everything. Patricia, and her team, are top notch and you will absolutely love how efficient they are on your wedding day. I wanted to get through formal portraits fairly quickly as I valued the candid shots more and I couldn't be happier with the photos we ended up with, both formal and candid AND we still had time to attend part of our cocktail hour without doing a First Look. I was told that wasn't possible, but I knew that she would make it happen! I still can't stop going through our wedding photos, and I love all of them! The beauty and emotion captured in them, takes me right back to our wedding day. Working with Patricia has been such a joy, I have no doubt that we will continue using her for family photos!"

"If you want stunning, artistic, photos, patricia is who you need!"

"What drew me to Patricia initially was that after seeing her pictures of weddings I realized that I was smiling and laughing...and I was all alone. She tells such a great story with her images and what I loved the most was her uncanny ability to capture people's unique characters. Patricia is a talent among talents. Her very low-key and "real" personality was such a great energy to have on a pretty emotional day!"

"Patricia and her team went above and beyond what I had ever imagined."

"We received the most beautiful photos of our wedding in record time and we couldn't believe how amazing they were. Patricia understood when we communicated to her the style of photos we wanted and was thoughtful enough to include everything that was important to us. Her intuition as a photographer shows in the many moments she captured that could not have been planned. Just as important, Patricia was so kind and helpful and made us feel instantly comfortable despite our jangling nerves! She went far beyond the role of photographer, helping to zip my dress and clip flowers in my hair when my hands were too shaky. She was extremely flexible and patient and at the same time a whole lot of fun to spend the evening with! By the time our night ended she felt like an old friend."

"We highly recommend Kivalo Photography!"

kind words

let's do this

Are you ready to capture the magic?